The finale to 2018 will not make or break Nottingham Forest’s season. But it might well offer a significant clue as to what 2019 might hold in store for Aitor Karanka’s men.

Over the next six games, including the New Year’s Day clash with Leeds United at the City Ground, the Reds will face three of their biggest promotion rivals.

There is a trip to face arch-rivals Derby on Monday, December 17, against a side inspired by the appointment of Frank Lampard, and a game at Carrow Road, against current Championship pace-setters Norwich, on Boxing Day.

Interspersed with those games are ones that will be no less challenging, in different ways – starting with the visit, this weekend, of a Preston side who’s league position is probably a poor reflection of their quality, following a start to the campaign that has been hampered by injuries.

Karim Ansarifard in action for Nottingham Forest against Ipswich Town (Image: Dan Westwell)

While there is also a home game against Steve McClaren’s resurgent QPR and a trip to face Neil Harris’ Millwall in the capital, where they are traditionally at their strongest.

But, while it is beyond debate that these games will decide whether Forest start the new year in the top six or not, Karanka says he does not have much left to learn about his side.

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Because he believes they have already shown what they are capable of, as they edge towards the halfway point of the season.

“The team is feeling the improvement. I knew that we needed time and now we are at the point where everyone is confident; where people feel they can play at any time,” said Karanka.

“I am really pleased because, in every single game, the team is showing improvement. I always said we needed time but now we are in a good moment.

“Everyone is confident, everyone is playing better and better every day. We are getting more compact on the pitch, we are not conceding goals and we are playing good football.

“We have a long way to go, we are still in December. There is still a long, long way until the finish.

“It has been difficult for us to get into the position we are in now but, at the same time, we have not achieved anything yet.

“We have to keep going, because it can be difficult to get to this point – but it is also difficult to stay in this position. We need to forget what we have done up until this point and we need to keep going, in the same way we have been doing.”

Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka (Image: Dan Westwell)

And Karanka rejects the notion that, with games against Derby, Norwich and Leeds, they have an opportunity to prove they can mix it with the promotion contenders.

Largely because he believes they have already done exactly that.

“I think we have shown that in the past. Let us enjoy, now, playing Preston and Ipswich,” he said. “We will have the chance to keep improving and keep working.

“We will find out the depth of the squad, because these games will need us to have a lot of good players. But now we need to enjoy the moment; we need to know that Preston will be a tough opponent.

“The other games will arrive beyond that – and we will show how good we are again.”

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Preston have won only once on the road this season, collecting six points overall. But Alex Neil’s side have been hit by an injury crisis that has seen as many as eight first team players sidelined in recent times.

And Karanka remains convinced they will provide tougher opposition than their league position suggests.

“It will be really tough. The example was last season, against them. They are a good team. Alex is doing a good job,” said Karanka.

“They did not start the season well, but they had injuries. Now they are recovering their style and the confidence.

Preston North End manager Alex Neil (Image: Dan Westwell)

“The last game against Birmingham was not a good example, because they were missing a lot of players again. I am expecting a tough game.”

Karanka is encouraged by the character in the Reds ranks, however.

“It was my first aim, to make us a team. As a team, the more compact you are, the more consistent you are and the more confident you are – the more you improve,” he said.

“The main thing for me is that we are a team. When you have good players and when you have a team, things are easier.

“We need to think about the game on Saturday, then we have eight or nine days to rest, recover and prepare again, for Derby.

“To think what will happen beyond the next few weeks, in this division, is impossible.”

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The first East Midlands derby clash of the season is approaching on the horizon after Preston, with Forest set to make the short trip to Pride Park on Monday, December 17.

But Karanka does not believe there are many players in the Forest dressing room who are allowing themselves to give much thought to that game, just yet.

“The players have not shown me that they are thinking about the Derby game,” he said. “Because they know – and they have known since the beginning – that the most important game is always the next one.

“Now we have Preston this weekend.

“We have the same points as Derby, but in 10 days, we could be six points ahead of them or six points behind.

“This league does not allow you to rest.

“Anyone who is looking ahead to Derby now, will be making a big mistake.”

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“It was not anything personal… sometimes it is impossible to always be happy. You are not always happy. That was one day when I was not at my best,” he said.

“I am feeling more happy now. But sometimes something can happen and you are not as happy as you want to be.”

Whatever it was that upset Karanka’s equilibrium after Ipswich, if Forest can produce an equally efficient, effective performance against another Championship side who will arrive with an intent to prove they are capable of better, his mood will surely be positive, come the final whistle, this time around.